Category Archives: Player Profiles

2016-17 Post-Season, ACC, NBA Draft, Player Profiles

Steve Vasturia and VJ Beachem: Are They Ready For The Big Leagues?

VJ and Vasturia #2

The 2017 NBA Draft is set to take place Thursday night and two former Notre Dame Fighting Irish standout will look to either hear their name be called out or to sign with a club following the draft.

But if you were to look up some NBA mock drafts, you will find that majority of these predictions leave Steve Vasturia and VJ Beachem out of the draft.

It may be shocking to see these two names off of NBA mock draft lists considering they helped lead Notre Dame to their first conference championship in program history, back to back elite eights, 12 conference wins in 2016 in what some may say is the most challenging conference in the nation and another trip to the ACC conference final.

Vasturia and Beachem even held their own against top prospects like North Carolina’s Justin Jackson, Duke Blue Devil’s Luke Kennard and Florida State Seminoles’ Jonathan Isaac.

So what is the problem then?

Continue reading Steve Vasturia and VJ Beachem: Are They Ready For The Big Leagues? →

2016-17 Post-Season, 2018-19 Season, ACC, Player Profiles, Recruiting

Notre Dame adds their first member of their 2018 Class in point guard Prentiss Hubb

Prentiss Hubb #2

While the Notre Dame Fighting Irish only signed one recruit to their class of 2017, the Irish got the ball rolling early as they secured a commitment from class of 2018 four-star point guard, Prentiss Hubb.

The on-court success of the Irish seems to be transpiring on the recruiting trail, as Notre Dame has been starting to secure some blue chip recruits. Demetrius Jackson led the way, followed by soon-to-be sophomore T.J. Gibbs, incoming freshman D.J. Harvey and now Hubb.

Hubb’s commitment marks the second straight recruit Head Coach Mike Brey has landed from the state of D.C in two years. Both Hubb and Harvey come from D.C. where they squared off against each other in high school.

Continue reading Notre Dame adds their first member of their 2018 Class in point guard Prentiss Hubb →

2016-17 Season, Atlantic 10, Big Ten, Canada, Horizon League, Mountain West, Pac-12, Player Profiles

Impact of Canadian Talent Being Felt All Across the NCAA Early in 2016-17

Over the first four games of the 2016-17 season, freshman forward Justin Jackson has put up two double-digit point performances, while helping Maryland to a 4-0 record. (Source: Tommy Gilligan - USA Today Sports)
Over the first four games of the 2016-17 season, freshman forward Justin Jackson has put up two double-digit point performances, while helping Maryland to a 4-0 record. (Source: Tommy Gilligan – USA Today Sports)

The talent level of basketball players coming out of Canada over the past few years has been impressive, and there are no signs of that slowing down any time soon.

Several of the top recruits in the Class of 2017 are from the Great White North. Guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (#29 in ESPN’s Top 100) has committed to the Virginia Tech Hokies, guard Lindell Wigginton (#49) has committed to the Iowa State Cyclones, and forward Christian David (#83) has committed to the Butler Bulldogs.

While the future is bright, the present is also just as bright for the game of basketball in Canada.

The 2016-17 season isn’t even two weeks old yet, but there are several Canadians who have looked impressive in the NCAA. Some are in their first years in Division I, while others are experienced leaders on championship contenders.

Here are just a few of the many Canadians who are budding stars in the NCAA. Continue reading Impact of Canadian Talent Being Felt All Across the NCAA Early in 2016-17 →

2016-17 Season, America East, Awards, Player Profiles

College Court Report Player of the Week: Jairus Lyles, UMBC Retrievers

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Jairus Lyles averaged 20.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game to help lead the UMBC Retrievers to two wins on opening weekend. (Source: NYC Buckets)
Jairus Lyles averaged 20.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game to help lead the UMBC Retrievers to two wins on opening weekend. (Source: NYC Buckets)

The 2016-17 season is in full swing, and what an opening weekend we all witnessed!

On Friday alone, there were several upsets that saw power conference teams lose against teams they should have beaten. The biggest upset of the weekend came on Friday night, when the Wagner Seahawks went on the road and took down the 18th-ranked Connecticut Huskies.

Some teams have played two, or even three, games so far this year, while others have yet to play one. But, over the weekend, there were some impressive individual performances that were worthy of recognition.

So, with that, we decided to hand out some hardware for the first three days.

The UMBC Retrievers opened the season with two impressive wins over the weekend, and junior guard Jairus Lyles was a big factor in both of their wins.

Thanks to a 23-point, 6-rebound performance on Sunday afternoon against the Maryland-Eastern Shore Hawks, Jairus Lyles has been named the College Court Report Player of the Week for November 11th-13th! Continue reading College Court Report Player of the Week: Jairus Lyles, UMBC Retrievers →

2016-17 Season, Big South, Big West, MAC, MEAC, Mountain West, Patriot League, Player Profiles, SoCon, Summit League, West Coast

Non-Power Five Guards Who Will Be Household Names in 2016-17: Seniors, Part Three

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Nick Lindner is one of the marquee players in the Patriot League that nobody is talking about. He’s one of ten senior guards from across the country who will become household names by year’s end.
With over 5,200 players slated to play collegiate basketball in Division I this season, there are talented players from coast to coast. Some of them are household names, while there are plenty of players who people haven’t heard of, but are demanding of your attention.

The majority of fans tend to focus on the power five conferences, turning a blind eye to the smaller programs. When you dig deeper, you’ll see that the non-power five schools have players who could just as easily play for a power conference program.

When it comes to senior guards in the NCAA, there are talented players from coast to coast. With so many players, it was nearly impossible to cut the list down to just 10 players without leaving star-calibre players off the list.

So, just like the folks over at The Hoops Column did with their lists of Non-Power Five Guards (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3) and Forwards (Part 1), we have broken the senior guards up into three parts.

Each will have 10 senior guards who will become household names in 2016-17, along with five others to keep a flag on as the season progresses.

**Note: Justin Robinson burst onto the scene last season, and Quinton Hooker was named the CCR Player of the Year. Both didn’t make the list, as we feel that they are already household names on a much larger scale than some of the other senior guards.** Continue reading Non-Power Five Guards Who Will Be Household Names in 2016-17: Seniors, Part Three →

2016-17 Season, Atlantic Sun, Horizon League, Mountain West, Ohio Valley, Player Profiles, SoCon, SWAC, WAC, West Coast

Non-Power Five Guards Who Will Be Household Names in 2016-17: Seniors, Part Two

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Dedrick Basile was the talk of the town last March when he hit a buzzer-beater t osend the Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners to the NCAA Tournament. This season, he's one of ten senior guards who will be household names all year long. (Source: Tom Pennington - Getty Images)
Dedrick Basile was the talk of the town last March when he hit a buzzer-beater t osend the Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners to the NCAA Tournament. This season, he’s one of ten senior guards who will be household names all year long. (Source: Tom Pennington – Getty Images)

With over 5,200 players slated to play collegiate basketball in Division I this season, there are talented players from coast to coast. Some of them are household names, while there are plenty of players who people haven’t heard of, but are demanding of your attention.

The majority of fans tend to focus on the power five conferences, turning a blind eye to the smaller programs. When you dig deeper, you’ll see that the non-power five schools have players who could just as easily play for a power conference program.

When it comes to senior guards in the NCAA, there are talented players from coast to coast. With so many players, it was nearly impossible to cut the list down to just 10 players without leaving star-calibre players off the list.

So, just like the folks over at The Hoops Column did with their lists of Non-Power Five Guards (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3) and Forwards (Part 1), we have broken the senior guards up into three parts.

Each will have 10 senior guards who will become household names in 2016-17, along with five others to keep a flag on as the season progresses.

**Note: Justin Robinson burst onto the scene last season, and Quinton Hooker was named the CCR Player of the Year. Both didn’t make the list, as we feel that they are already household names on a much larger scale than some of the other senior guards.** Continue reading Non-Power Five Guards Who Will Be Household Names in 2016-17: Seniors, Part Two →